Make it bio, make it bounce.
RUBBIO is redefining the future of sustainable rubber in Europe. The project combines advanced biotechnology, microbial fermentation, and chemical engineering to transform starch-rich food waste—such as bread and potatoes—into high-performance, bio-based rubbers for industrial sectors like footwear and technical flooring.
Through innovative processes in bio-manufacturing, waste valorization, and advanced polymer synthesis, RUBBIO drives new circular value chains capable of converting waste into high-value-added materials. In doing so, the project helps reduce Europe's dependence on fossil and imported raw materials, accelerating the transition toward a more resilient, competitive, and decarbonized industry.
"Because the future of rubber is not underground. It is in innovation."
Three innovative circular value chains connecting all stakeholders in the European territory
Transforming starch-rich food waste—bread and potato scraps—into fermentable sugars through advanced bioprocesses.
Combining microbial fermentation, metabolic engineering, and synthetic biology to produce bio-based monomers from food waste.
Advanced polymerization and catalysis processes converting bio-based intermediates into high-performance rubber polymers.
Real-world testing in demanding sectors like technical flooring and footwear, ensuring strength, durability, and performance.
Creating closed-loop value chains that turn waste into raw materials within a more efficient, sustainable economy.
Reducing dependence on fossil and imported raw materials while accelerating industrial decarbonization across Europe.
12 partners from 6 European countries integrating the entire value chain
RUBBIO brings together technology centers, universities, research entities, and leading industrial companies in biotechnology, sustainable chemistry, advanced materials, and the circular economy. The consortium integrates the entire value chain, from food waste valorization to the industrial validation of new bio-based rubbers.
Technology Centre specialized in advanced manufacturing and innovative materials. Coordinates RUBBIO and leads the project's environmental analysis and communication strategy.
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Innovative SME specialized in agro-food waste valorization. Transforms starch-rich waste into fermentable sugars for the project's biotechnological processes.
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Leading university in applied research and industrial biotechnology. Develops the biological production of butanediol through metabolic engineering and advanced fermentation.
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Company specialized in biomass analysis and sustainable bioprocesses. Leads the fermentative production of propionic acid from food waste.
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Leading research group in synthetic biology and sustainable chemistry. Develops microbial strains to produce bio-based styrene.
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Leading university in sustainable catalysis and advanced chemical processes. Converts bio-based intermediates into industrial monomers for new rubbers.
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Company specialized in advanced materials and innovative industrial solutions. Develops the polymerization processes for the new bio-based rubbers.
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Research centre specialized in chemical synthesis and sustainable materials. Works on the synthesis of SBR rubber using bio-based monomers.
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Leading company in high-performance technical rubber flooring. Validates the newly developed materials for industrial flooring applications.
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Research entity focused on innovation for the footwear sector. Validates the new bio-rubbers for applications in soles and technical components.
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Technology centre specialized in materials and tribology. Evaluates the durability, safety, and wear resistance of the new materials.
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Company specialized in industrial innovation and sustainability. Leads the impact assessments and the project's exploitation and scaling strategy.
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Every year, Europe generates millions of tons of food waste, much of which ends up being underutilized. RUBBIO was created precisely to change this reality, driving a new generation of sustainable solutions capable of transforming this waste into high-value-added industrial materials.
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